Car Free Days 2013 Winner

Ms.Gulcan Akgul

Gulcan Akgul is the grand prize raffle winner of an iPad (courtesy Tri-County Council for Southern Maryland and Maryland Transit Administration) for participating in Car Free Days 2013. Gulcan does not own a car and is not planning on getting one. She told us that public transportation is "good enough" in the DC-Metro area. "I don't have much problem with getting around. I use mostly subway and sometimes buses. I moved to Maryland from New York about five months ago. I was driving in New York, but even then, I was in some sort of car-pool agreement with few people that used to study in the same college with me. I think it is very important to be conscious about traffic jams and the pollution that one creates while driving around every day. Besides, it is more expensive. In the U.S., the rate of driving is too high. In most countries, there is one car per household, in the U.S. there is almost one car per individual. It seems convenient to drive, but when you get used to taking advantage of the public transportation, it is also convenient. You get to exercise more by walking to the bus stops or stations, and up and down the stairs. Most importantly, it is the most responsible way of traveling for the environment. We should also make sure that our children appreciate that type of lifestyle. I highly recommend it to everybody.", said Ms. Akgul.

Car Free Day 2011 Grand Prize Winners!

Camille Dixon shows off her new 64GB iPad, donated by Base Technologies. Camille used Capital Bikeshare to get around on Car Free Day.

Winner John Clinton

John Clinton was the 2011 Car Free Day Grand Prize winner of a Kona bicycle, courtesy of BicycleSPACE. www.bicyclespacewdc.com

Past Events

Car Free Day 2010 Grand Prize Winners!

Yunuen Hernandez won a bicycle courtesy of Kona Bicycles and the BicycleSPACE.

“Three years ago I decided to move to an apartment exactly one mile away from the closest Metro station. Therefore, my daily commute to work included a mile walk and a metro ride mornings and evenings. At the time, I didn’t realize how beneficial this short commute became to my health, my pocket and the planet. This short walk kept me active even in winter time and through my pregnancy. In addition, after my son was born, it helped me get back to my original weight. In the mornings, I enjoy not having to look for a parking spot or spending unnecessary money on parking and gas. Since I had always been a fairly good “no-car” commuter, last year I decided to pledge to be car-free for one day. I sent my pledge E-mail and that morning I left the car at home, as every morning, walked to the metro station and took the train to work and back. To my surprise, a few days later I received an E-mail saying that I had won a bicycle due to my “car-free pledge”. I was so excited; I got a brand new “Kona” bicycle! Today, I alternate my normal commute by walking or riding the bicycle to the Metro station and of course, overall my social conscience is clean because I am not contaminating our planet by driving every day.”
- Yunuen Hernandez

Gary Coulter of Silver Spring won an iPad courtesy of Base Technologies.

Car Free Day 2010 Car Free Day Proclamation
At its July 21, 2010 Board meeting held at the Metropolitan Washington Council of Governments, the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board (TPB) proclaimed Wednesday September 22, 2010 as Car Free Day throughout the Washington Metropolitan Region.

Podcasts

Harriet Tregoning on Car Free Day 2010
The Director of the D.C. Office of Planning discusses Car Free Day 2010 and what her office is doing to make it easier to get around all parts of the District without a car.

Michael C. May on Car Free Day 2010
Prince William County Supervisor discusses Car Free Day 2010 and what he is doing to make it easier to get around all parts of the county without a car.

Gabe Klein on Car Free Day 2010
District Department of Transportation Director discusses Car Free Day 2010 and what he is doing to make it easier to get around all parts of the city without a car.

Patrick Wojahn on Car Free Day 2010
College Park City Council Member discusses Car Free Day 2010 and what he is doing to make it easier to get around all parts of College Park without a car.